LAS VEGAS >> It was a 16-second lesson on who is the best women’s fighter, followed by a 25-minute marathon to show that the middleweight champion is who everyone thought he was.

At UFC 175 on Saturday night at Mandalay Bay Events Center, Ronda Rousey proved yet again she is the baddest female on the planet and the biggest star in the UFC after taking to Alexis Davis like a hot knife through butter.

In 16 seconds, Rousey exchanged blows with Davis before landing an overhand right, a knee to the body and taking the Canadian challenger on a free ride via a judo throw over her left hip. Rousey landed on Davis with Davis’ arms isolated, allowing Rousey to pummel her with nine rights before the fight was halted.

Anyone else remember when Rousey was criticized for her striking and armbars were her only arsenal?

And credit to Rousey coach Edmond Tarverdyan, who told us last month: “For this camp, she’s dropping people with head shots, so watch out for that. That’s gonna happen. I believe that.”

Cool as a cucumber last night, Tarverdyan — who also correctly predicted a body shot would fell Sara McMann at UFC 170 in February — walked past press row after the win, shook our hand and said, “I called it.”

Rousey was awarded one of two Performance of the Night bonuses, which means an extra $50,000 in her pocket.

What’s more, the crowd of 10,008, which wasn’t totally behind Rousey before the fight, gave her the loudest post-fight cheers we’ve heard for her since her UFC debut victory over Liz Carmouche at UFC 157 at Honda Center in Anaheim in February 2013.

And how about that main event? Chris Weidman shook off any notion of fluke victories over Anderson Silva with an impressive, five-round unanimous-decision dismantling of Lyoto Machida.

Weidman stuck to his game plan, stalking Machida and landing leg kicks, big rights and takedowns. Machida appeared to realize he was in a hole in the fourth round — the only one he won on our card — which was one of the most entertaining of the year.

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Machida’s left found Weidman’s sturdy chin several times, including a big hook that staggered the champ as the round ended.

With two cuts and significant bruising, Machida looked much worse after the fight, but no one has ever questioned his heart.

And no one can question Weidman’s credentials now. Eleven wins without a loss and getting better each time.

They’re both $50,000 richer after they were rightly awarded Fight of the Night, but it was Weidman walking away with the gold.

Vitor Belfort was mentioned during the post-fight press conference last night as a possible next opponent, but Belfort “has some issues to work out,” according to UFC president Dana White.

Specifically, Belfort has admitted to failing a drug test in February and the Nevada Athletic Commission has banned the use of testosterone replacement therapy, for which Belfort had an exemption. Belfort has yet to have a hearing with the NAC, so that’s one of the biggest issues.

Nevertheless, Belfort pleaded his case on Instagram last night: “Now I want what I deserve. MY TITLE SHOT!!! Don’t run away!! No excuses!!”

More thoughts on last night...

What was missing >> While UFC 175 was largely considered a success, it definitely could have used a bigger shot in the arm.

Nothing against Weidman, Machida or Davis, but none of them was setting the world on fire while promoting this card. And that’s not a knock on them. They all have laid-back personalities. And while Weidman-Machida had a lot of fight fans excited, neither of the main-event bouts was a heated rivalry, so most of the marketing burden fell on Rousey.

What would have helped? How about Chael Sonnen vs. Wanderlei Silva? Their hatred for each other grew after their brawl and contentious encounters while filming “The Ultimate Fighter” in Brazil.

Unfortunately, both failed drug tests leading up to UFC 175, so their fight was canceled. Had that fight gone on, not only would we probably have seen major fireworks leading up to Saturday night, but the crowd would have been electric for that battle.

Struve is OK >> It was quite a shock on press row during the Marcus Brimage-Russell Doane fight when news broke that heavyweight Stefan Struve had blacked out while warming for his fight against Matt Mitrione.

The news was especially concerning since in August the 7-footer was diagnosed with a leaking aortic valve as well as an enlarged heart.

Doctors, however, chalked it up to a panic attack and, considering Struve’s recent medical issues, took no risks and called off the fight.

The toe knows >> Uriah Hall, with all the physical skills one could want but his mind as his biggest enemy, once had his status as a fighter challenged by White. Hall proved himself and then some last night.

After a tough first round against Thiago Santos, cameras caught an image of Hall’s mangled second toe on his right foot.

Not only was it broken, but as the fight progressed and Hall continued to throw kicks with his right foot, the bone began to break through the skin.

Asked about throwing kicks with his bad foot, Hall said: “I would feel my bone shift in and out of my skin.”

Starting with a bang >> Huge win for Kevin Casey in the first fight of the night. A black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, the Hawthorne resident has strung together three straight first-round TKO victories.

Casey once looked like a middleweight who had blown his chance in the UFC after struggling during Season 17 of “The Ultimate Fighter.” Biggest difference? Casey now has a better handle in his battle with the scale. Severe weight cuts during the UFC reality show affected his kidneys and stamina. Casey told us before his fight at RFA 15 last month that his weight cut is more of a diet now.

A bold Font >> People on Twitter were having fun coming up with nicknames for Rob Font last night, so pardon the pun.

Not only did the 27-year-old from Massachusetts win his 10th straight fight in his UFC debut by knocking out George Roop in the first round, he picked up the other $50,000 bonus for Performance of the Night.

Not bad for a guy who was delivering pizzas six years ago to make ends meet.